Phyllostachys is a hardy, temperate, Asiatic genus of at least 50 species, native mainly to China, from Hainan to the Yellow River, and from Yunnan to Taiwan, but introduced to surrounding countries, especially Japan. Many species and a large number of cultivars have been introduced. The genus is characterized by the two unequal branches at most nodes, a result of a complete lack of internodal compression, along with the almost universal presence of buds at all nodes. Phyllostachys is the most distinct genus of hardy temperate bamboos, of enormous economic importance in eastern Asia, and increasingly valued in North America and Europe.

All species are ornamental, especially those having cultivars with colored culms. Almost all species are likely to be invasive. Rhizomes may extend as far as the height of the culms. Root barriers should generally be installed if uncontrolled spreading is not acceptable.

Phyllostachys aurea is native to China, but it is widely cultivated in temperate and subtropical regions. In North America, it grows as far north as Vancouver, British Columbia, in the west and Buffalo, New York, in the east. The young shoots are very palatable, even when raw, but the mature culms are very hard when dried. They are sometimes used for fishpoles. This species differs from other species of Phyllostachys, including those with brighter yellow culms, in having a raised collar below the nodes and irregularly com-pressed basal culm nodes.